Transplant Question

With 2 transplants done and more to go I'm thinking I transplanted
the first 2 too early cause the pots had not been filled yet with roots but does have some 4" - 5" roots coming out the sides and bottom
of the dirt mass.
Is this ok or is it better to fill the pots out with a lot of roots to whearas they are
swirling at the bottom of the pot just prior to transplant?
When do you prefer to transplant and why? Thank's in advance!

Its a thin/fine line between establishing a nice tap root and filling the pots space and getting round bound. Me personally just wait until I see the roots start to creep out the bottom of the drain holes. That way I feel like its not to early but not late. Wouldn't say it accurate every time though

I usually transplant right before they get "root bound". Sometimes I transplant when root bound. Not very good though because I have to break up the root ball some, and in this heat we have that can be an awful lot of stress on them.

I don't really care ether way...